Weapon protection device

ABSTRACT

A weapon protection device for enclosing a weapon. The weapon protection device protects the weapon from adverse conditions, including water, dust, dirt and sand. The weapon protection device features a transparent or translucent material that is impervious to water and is lightweight. The material is highly flexible and stretchable. The weapon protection device is compact when not in use and requires very little storage space. The weapon protection device allows a user to fire the weapon with either hand while the weapon is inside the protection device. The weapon protection device is designed to be a shoot-through device, which can be used where a weapon must be transported through a wet and/or dirty environment. The weapon protection device allows the weapon to be used on short notice and does not require removal of the weapon from the weapon protection device in order to use the weapon. A clear window is provided in the device in line with the standard projection sight (such as a laser sight) on the weapon so that the sight can be used even if the weapon is in the weapon protection device. A waterproof opening seal, such as a dry sack seal, is provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/234,792 Aug. 18, 2009 and incorporated fully herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to weapon protection in adverse weather conditions and more particularly, to a weapon protection device that covers and protects a weapon while still allowing a user to fire the weapon while the weapon is inside the weapon protection device.

BACKGROUND

Weapons are often used in adverse conditions. Weapons can include, but are not limited to, firearms or any other weapons with intricate or mechanically precise firing mechanisms that could be compromised by sand, salt, or other environmental contaminants including bows (particularly compound bows and crossbows), spearguns, tasers, paintball guns, etc. (collectively referred to herein as weapons) . The adverse conditions that these weapons are exposed to can include salt or fresh water, chemicals, dust, sand and other particulates or types of contaminants. These adverse conditions can damage the weapon and lead to malfunction, or precipitate the need for premature maintenance and repair. At a minimum, damage can lead to expense or lost time while at worst, damage can cause a weapon to fail to perform properly and compromise the safety of a soldier or police officer who is relying on the weapon being ready to be used at a moment's notice. This is especially of concern to soldiers, whose areas of operation might include deserts, high mountains and ocean or other wet environments, where the environment may be especially harsh and compromising to the reliability of their weapons. Protecting a weapon from chemical and biological contamination can also expedite the decontamination process, which can be of great value on the battlefield.

Pistols, rifles and fully automatic weapons typically include a hollow tubular barrel, are trigger initiated and hand held. When necessary, the weapon needs to be readily accessible to the user. Under certain circumstances, it is desirable to carry a firearm in a water and/or dust proof protective bag. The bag is typically comprised of a waterproof material and the weapon is completely sealed within the bag, which may or may not closely fit the shape of the weapon. The user cannot see the weapon inside the bag and cannot use the weapon while it is inside the bag. The bag typically contains a zipper or other opening means and the weapon must be removed from the bag in order for the weapon to function.

Improvements on such a waterproof duffle bag weapon holder have been made that allow a user to protect a weapon from water and sand and still allow the weapon to be fired. The current technology consists of a neoprene bag that has a brass waterproof zipper and a built-in five-finger glove-like pocket “welded” onto the side of the bag. To fire a weapon, a user must first locate and then insert their hand into the glove-like pocket in order to operate the trigger. The glove-like pocket does not allow for ambidextrous use. The pocket can be hard for the user to locate and then difficult to slide their hand into, especially for large or small hands or if the bag or user's hand is wet, covered with sand or otherwise contaminated. Furthermore, it can be difficult to operate features of the weapon once the hand is inserted.

Some features such as the weapon's foregrip, magazine or cocking mechanism may be out of reach of the built in “glove”. Moreover, such prior art bags completely preclude the use of the weapon's built-in sight, such as a laser or other sighting device. Additionally, the prior art bags are expensive, bulky and, for a rifle-seized weapon, may weigh approximately 3 pounds when dry and empty. When the bag is removed after adverse conditions have passed, the user must store the bag, which can be even heavier and bulkier when wet.

Furthermore, the bag is opaque and the user cannot see the weapon while the bag is covering the weapon, so it is not possible to visually inspect the weapon for the position of the safety, cocking mechanism, or proper seating of a magazine. These bags also require regular maintenance, such as the addition of a wax to maintain the waterproof quality of the brass zipper.

As such, there is a need to improve upon the prior art to create a weapon protective device (bag) that is lightweight and easy to store, which protects the weapon, allows a user to visually inspect the weapon, and allows for simple ambidextrous use of all of the critical features of the weapon (preferably including any sighting mechanism), regardless of hand size, when the weapon is contained and protected within the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features a novel apparatus for the protection of a weapon from adverse conditions. The weapon protection device allows for transportation of the weapon through wet or dirty environments while still allowing a user to visually inspect, manipulate and fire the weapon in a natural and instinctual way. The weapon protection device of the present invention is made from a clear or translucent stretchy film material, which allows the weapon to be easily visible to the user, but may also have a dark tint and/or matte finish if camouflage or low-reflectivity is necessary. The weapon protection device is impervious to water, is low cost and is extremely lightweight.

The film material is a relatively thin, highly flexible and stretchable material that is strong enough to withstand reasonable abrasion and puncture. When not in use, the weapon protection device is very compact and can be folded or rolled into a very small size to fit in a typical cargo pants or jacket pocket. The weapon protection device allows the user to utilize the weapon contained therein by either the left or the right hand of the user. The weapon protection device is designed to be a shoot-through device that is simple to use, is low cost and disposable. The weapon protection device allows the weapon to be used on short notice, when there is not enough time to remove it from the weapon protection device.

It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention and not to be limited except by the allowed claims and their legal equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1. is a perspective view of a protection device of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a protection device of the present invention shown with a weapon inside the protective device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The weapon protection device 10, FIG. 1, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention includes a first side 18 and a second side 20. The weapon protection device 10 is constructed by the connection of the first side 18 and the second side 20 with a “peel type” heat welded seam or other sealing method around a perimeter 26 of the weapon protection device 10. The first side 18 and second side 20 are completely sealed except for an opening 22. The opening 22 allows for entry and removal of the weapon.

Each of the sides 18/20 consists of a stock portion 12 that contains the stock of the weapon, a body, handle and trigger portion 14, and a barrel portion 16. The weapon protection device 10 is preferably made from a relatively strong, lightweight, inexpensive, weatherproof, durable, heat-weldable material such as a stretchable plastic or composite material available in multiple colors, translucencies and finishes. The stretch film material is preferably a polyurethane stretchable material, such as a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film. The preferred material for this film is a 7 mil thermoplastic polyurethane from a company such as American Polyfilm, Inc. The weapon protection device 10 is also outfitted with a plurality of strap attachment areas 40. Each strap attachment area 40 can be outfitted with a strap as will be discussed in greater detail below.

The preferred manufacturing method for the weapon protection device is by radio frequency (RF) or heat welding a few simple pattern pieces which provides an excellent economy of scale, manufacturing efficiency and predictable quality compared to the relatively large number of pattern pieces needed to be stitched together in the prior art. Welding can be an automated process, versus stitching which is a manual process and more prone to errors and inaccuracy. Also, automated processes tend to become cheaper faster as quantities increase. The low cost of the bag also means it can be treated more like a disposable item, so that if it wears out or damage is suspected, it can be replaced easily and inexpensively and the user is less likely to extend the use of a bag in questionable condition if price and availability are not an issue. The stretchy film that the device is made of allows the user to simply grab the weapon as they normally would. The combination of the patterning of the bag and the stretchiness of the material allows the weapon protection device to conform to the shape of the weapon's handle while providing extra material around the ejector port for spent ammunition to escape and allowing full use of the weapon's mechanical features.

The stretchy film material is preferably transparent or translucent. The transparency of the weapon protection device allows a user to see the weapon inside the weapon protection device and allows for visual inspection of the weapon prior to use or during use. The translucent film allows for visual inspection but also obscures the view of the weapon from a distance, which may be desirable. The transparency of the stretch film material (either throughout the entire bag or in one or more specific areas 41 as will be explained below) may also allow a laser sight or other projection type sighting device of the weapon to remain functional. The main film of the bag would preferably be a dark translucent material with a matte finish that is non-reflective. An opaque material could also be used if visual inspection is not desired, without impairing the basic virtue of this design, which is to allow a natural and instinctual manipulation of the weapon in a lightweight and low cost device.

In the preferred embodiment, the weapon protection device 10 includes a transparent “window” 41 that allows a laser sight or other projection type sighting device on the weapon to remain functional. The transparent window 41 allows the “projection” (i.e. laser beam from a laser sight) from the sight to project “through” the transparent window 41 and function essentially as it would without the weapon protection device 10.

In order to achieve this functionality, the transparent window 41 is made by folding a piece of transparent material forming a fold line 45 and two welded edges 43 a and 43 b. The two edges 43 a and 43 b are welded to the adjacent material of the first and second sides 18 and 20 respectively of the weapon protection device 10. Eliminating any welded edge along line 45 ensures that there is not unnecessary material, welding, weld joint and the like that might serve to interfere with the laser or other projection sighting device.

The weapon protection device 10 is extremely lightweight compared to prior art versions that weigh in excess of 2 pounds. The weapon protection device 10 would preferably weigh approximately 5-10 ounces. The weapon protection device 10 can be folded or rolled or similarly collapsed into a very small package and secured together with one of the provided clips and that fits easily into a pocket or into another similarly small space. The diminutive size of the weapon protection device when in a folded state allows for easy storage and easy transport when not in use. A folded or rolled weapon protection device can fit easily into a cargo pants pocket of the user.

The weapon protection device 10 allows for full operation of the weapon without the need for an integrated glove. The simplicity of the weapon protection device saves cost and weight and reduces manufacturing complexity and the possibility for leaks. The material of the weapon protection device allows for stretching so that there is no glove required as the users hand can be placed on the outside of the bag around the area of the trigger or other components or features and the material allows for enough stretch so that the user can pull the trigger or manipulate other features of the weapon.

The weapon protection device as shown in FIG. 2 features a closure mechanism 24 that allows for complete closure of the opening 22 once a weapon 32 is inserted into the weapon protection device 10. The opening 22 is large enough to allow for a weapon with an extended magazine and/or optics and sighting devices. The closure mechanism 24 is preferably a dry bag closure as is well known in the art although other waterproof and sand proof closures are within the scope of the invention. In order to facilitate closure of the opening, the weapon is inserted into the weapon protection device with the barrel of the weapon entering the barrel portion 16 of the weapon protection device 10. Excess air may be purged from the weapon protection device 10 by conforming the weapon protection device to that of the weapon contained in the protection device 10 and the first side 18 and the second side 20 of the weapon protection device are brought together to squeeze out however much excess air is desired before closing the dry bag or other style opening 22. As is well known in a dry bag closure device, the length of the opening on both the first side 18 and second side 20 is outfitted with a rigid strip of material 42 that allows the material of the weapon protection device 10 to easily fold over in a predetermined length during the rolling and closing of the dry bag style closure 22. The material of the weapon protection device near the opening is folded at least once during closure. Preferably, the material is folded a minimum of three times in order to ensure that water and other debris cannot enter the weapon protection device 10. Finally, the buckle 28 is snapped together to maintain the dry bag style closure 22 or other airtight seal in a closed position, to maintain an airtight seal that is impervious to penetration by water and other substances. The buckle also serves to hold the weapon protection device 10 in a closed position once rolled up. The buckle may be made of plastic, metal, or a composite material. The dry bag style closure is intuitive and maintenance free. Other suitable closure mechanisms may also be employed. Additionally, a limited amount of excess air in the weapon protection device may remain after the weapon protection device has been securely closed. This excess air provides buoyancy so that if the user loses control of the weapon in water, it will not sink. The excess air also provides space around the receiver and ejector port of the weapon for spent shell casings.

After the weapon protection device 10 opening 22 has been closed, the weapon protection device 10 may be further fitted or conformed to the weapon. A first strap 34, which is attached to one of a plurality of strap attachment areas 40, is preferably located in the barrel portion 16 of the weapon protection device 10. The first strap 34 is used to gather excess material in the weapon protection device 10 around the weapon barrel and to hold the weapon in place within the weapon protection device 10. The first strap 34 preferably consists of a hook and loop fastener or similar attachment means to which is attached a short length of webbing or pull strap 38 which serves as a pull tab to allow the operator to quickly release the hook and loop fastener if and when it is desired to remove the weapon from within the weapon protection device 10. A second strap 36, which is similarly designed and attached to one of a plurality of strap attachment areas 40, may be located between the handle portion 12 and body and trigger portion 14 of the weapon protection device 10. The second strap 36 is also used to gather excess material in the weapon protection device 10 and to hold the weapon in place within the weapon protection device 10, and is similarly secured using a hook and loop fastener or a similar attachment means to which is attached a short length of webbing or strap 38 that serves as a pull to release the strap 36. The depiction of the weapon protection device 10 in FIG. 2 shows the weapon protection device 10 when the first strap 34 and second strap 36 are securely positioned around the weapon 32. Additional or fewer straps may be employed as is necessary. Various sizes and styles of bags are envisioned by the present embodiment, to provide protection to firearms or weapons of all types, shapes and sizes.

The weapon protection device 10 may further include a shoulder strap 30 that provides for ease of carrying the weapon protection device 10 and weapon 32. Additionally, all or only a portion of the inside of the weapon protection device (for example, the area at or near the barrel portion 16) may be lined with and/or made from a heat resistant component 44 in one or more places, in order to protect the material of the weapon protection device 10 from heat given off by the weapon when the weapon is fired. The heat resistant components 44 may be located at or near the end of the gun barrel near the flash suppressor and/or in other regions as necessary. The heat resistant panels/components allow sustained firing of the weapon without melting the TPU film bag to the weapon and creating a big mess and perhaps making the weapon inoperative. The heat resistant panels/components 44 may be made of nylon, Nomex™ fabric, or any other suitable fabric that provides for and is heat resistant. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, these fabrics would be coated with polyurethane and welded onto the inside of the weapon protection device.

It is understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention and not to be limited except by the allowed claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. A weapon protection enclosure device, comprising: an enclosure comprising a soft, stretchable, pliable, waterproof material and having a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, said enclosure configured for containing a weapon entirely within said enclosure; said first side and said second side of said enclosure coupled to one another proximate and edge region, said coupled first and 2nd sides including an edge region proximate said first end of said enclosure wherein said edge region is not coupled together, said first and region configured for forming an opening into said enclosure; said enclosure opening provided with a waterproof closure device; said enclosure defining a weapon barrel portion, configured for receiving a weapon barrel, a weapon stock portion, configured for receiving a stock portion of a weapon, and a weapon body portion, configured for receiving a body, handle and trigger portion of said weapon; and at least one enclosure gathering device, configured for gathering said enclosure about a weapon disposed in said enclosure, and for generally preventing said weapon from moving within said enclosure.
 2. The weapon protection enclosure device of claim 1, wherein said soft, stretchable, pliable, waterproof material includes a heat weldable material.
 3. The weapon protection enclosure device of claim 2, wherein said heat weldable material includes thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film.
 4. The weapon protection enclosure device of claim 1, wherein said waterproof closure device includes a dry sack style closure.
 5. The weapon protection enclosure device of claim 1, wherein said enclosure device is configured for enclosing a firearm weapon.
 6. The weapon protection enclosure device of claim 5, wherein said firearm includes an automatic firearm.
 7. The weapon protection enclosure device of claim 1, wherein said barrel portion of said enclosure includes at least one region including a heat resistant material.
 8. The weapon protection enclosure device of claim 7, wherein said barrel portion is lined with said heat resistant material.
 9. The weapon protection enclosure device of claim 7, wherein said barrel portion is constructed from said heat resistant material.
 10. The weapon protection enclosure device of claim 1, wherein said enclosure includes a plurality of enclosure gathering devices.
 11. The weapon protection enclosure device of claim 1, wherein said body portion of said enclosure further includes a projection sight penetrating window, configured for allowing a projected signal from a projected weapon sight to exit said enclosure for use as a projection sight signal.
 12. The weapon protection enclosure device of claim 11, wherein said projection sight penetrating window includes a clear window formed by a folding a clear piece of heat weldable material, said window including a central portion and heat weldable edges, wherein said projection sight penetrating window is configured so as to allow said projected signal to pass through said Central portion of said projection sight penetrating window without having to pass through said heat weldable edges of said projection sight penetrating window.
 13. A weapon protection enclosure device, comprising: an enclosure comprising a heat weldable, soft, stretchable, pliable, waterproof material said heat weldable material including a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film having a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, said enclosure configured for containing a weapon entirely within said enclosure; said first side and said second side of said enclosure heat welded to one another proximate an edge region, said coupled first and second sides including an edge region proximate said first end of said enclosure wherein said edge region is not coupled together, said first and region configured for forming an opening into said enclosure, said enclosure opening provided with a dry sack type waterproof closure device; said enclosure defining a weapon barrel portion, configured for receiving a weapon barrel, wherein said barrel portion of said enclosure includes at least one region including a heat resistant material, a weapon stock portion, configured for receiving a stock portion of a weapon, and a weapon body portion, configured for receiving a body, handle and trigger portion of said weapon, wherein said body portion of said enclosure further includes a projection sight penetrating window, configured for allowing a projected signal from a projected weapon sight to exit said enclosure for use as a projection sight signal; and at least one enclosure gathering device, configured for gathering said enclosure about a weapon disposed in said enclosure, and for generally preventing said weapon from moving within said enclosure. 